New bishop of Rapid City pledges to love faithful as 'Mary loved Jesus'

RAPID CITY, S.D. (OSV News) -- "I'm really grateful to be here," Bishop Scott E. Bullock, Rapid City's new bishop, told the congregation at the conclusion of his episcopal ordination and installation Mass Sept. 23.

"My desire is to love you the way the Blessed Mother Mary loved Jesus. When she was able to, with great confidence, say, 'Let it be done to me according to your word' and then was overpowered by the Holy Spirit for that task,'" he said.

A priest in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa, for 33 years, he was ordained the 10th bishop of Rapid City at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis was the principal consecrator, with 15 other bishops in attendance. Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostil nuncio to the United States, was present and read the letter of appointment from Pope Francis.

The Rapid City cathedral was filled for the second time in a week after having just mourned the loss of former diocesan administrator Father Dan Juelfs. He was elected by the diocese's college of consultors to lead the diocese following the Feb. 17 death of Bishop Peter M. Muhich until a new bishop was named. Then-Father Bullock was named his successor by Pope Francis in June.

"We had 1,050 people in attendance" for Bishop Bullock's ordination, said the cathedral's rector, Father Brian Christensen. The crowd was made up of people from across the diocese, and members of Bishop Bullock's former parishes erupted in cheers as he took his crozier and sat in the cathedra, or bishop's chair, for the first time.

In his homily, Archbishop Hebda said, "You've already distinguished yourself as a collaborative pastor for your closeness to your parishioners and particularly to your brother priests. May the Lord continue to draw that gift forth from you for the good of this local church."

For his episcopal motto, Bishop Bullock chose "Surgite Eamus" which translates "Rise, let us be on our way," from Mt 26:46. According to Bishop Bullock the words from Jesus spur us to a life of fullness found through the paschal mystery of Jesus' death and resurrection.

In his homily during solemn vespers on the eve of his ordination Mass, he told those gathered at the cathedral, "I'm grateful for your prayerful presence this evening. ... I'm pretty happy right now. I am certain that the adventure upon which I will embark tomorrow is not possible, nor even desirable, on my own. So, thank you for your kindness and reminding me of that by your presence here tonight."

"We do not rise alone because we gather here today at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in this splendid memorial to the Mother of God, whose will being so perfectly conformed to that of her son, too, is on a mission that we might rise and be on our way to the Father," he said.

Since baptism, "we have all been set on our way -- which is his way -- to the cross and saving resurrection," the soon-to-be-ordained bishop said. "So, we need not fear, for we have a mother who will gently, faithfully protect us with her prayers along the way. And while each of us already is on our way, God wants more for us. God wants more."

"But we cannot find more if we remain where we are," he added. "Jesus has much more. His life in abundance he promises, if we'll but rise and be on our way. And let's go the way that is most certain and most empowered -- 'ad Jesum per Mariam' -- to Jesus through Mary."

The Diocese of Rapid City is in the western half of South Dakota. It covers 43,000 square miles and has a Catholic population of 20,940.

After being named Bishop Muhich's successor June 25, Bishop-elect Bullock noted he made a pilgrimage to his predecessor's grave "when I commended him to the intercession of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and at the same time, asked his prayers on my behalf and the diocese that he served. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him."

Bishop Muhich died shortly after he entered hospice care for esophageal cancer. He was 62.